The big parade to Hongkew, the areas north of the Creek gener ally, was on all-day yesterday when thousands of Chinese took advantage of the Japanese gesture in di Pensing with pass rules and lifting the military "curfew hitherto in force. A metaphorical starting gun was fired at 12 o'clock midnight, and from that moment onwards u_ large movement "of Chinese—on foot motor-cars took place. It was, estimated that the volume of Chin-nese passing over the three bridges concerned was from 40 to 50. per cent. greater than before the abolltion of the pass requirement, Provin ously, the Japanese authorities had Issued a total of about a million asses and permits of various Seriptions for the Northern area By far the heaviest trate went over the Szechuen Road Bridge, with the Garden Bridge second and the Chapoo Road Bridge third Importance, It was signifeant that many of the Chinese who trekked northwards were accompanied luggage, boxes and bundles, No searches of ears, baggage or persons were reported. Everything apparent. day. There were Migration Into Chapel 'A large portion of those who crossover did not stop in Hongkew or Yangtszepoo but continued on into Chapei and districts beyond. To thousands it was the first time thal they had been "north of the Creek since they fled from their homes before the beginning of hostilities In 1997, That many were doomed 10 bitter disappointment and would find only ruins where their houses had stood before, was inevitable, few on February 15, Here are scenes at 'The attitude of the' Chinese crossing the bridges varied a groat deal, In" some cases mingled fear and curiosity were noticeable, and they "inasmuch as this action is being passed the Japanese naval. scuteles taken, within the limits allowed by the elrrent condition in the mainten: cautiously, "bowing deferentilly. ance of peace and order, in consi But apparently bows and bared heads eration of the convenience of Chinese were not insisted upon, for there were olliers who walked briskly and third party nationals, it is hoped that they will, In appreciation of the without paying any heed to the sen tries, Pass-holders especially in the intentions of the Japanese authorities. refrain from committing actions thal early hours of the day. kept showing will make necessary the re-imposition their cards. as usual, but wore told of the restrictions. by the sentries that uch action was mo, longer required. "Vee yaw pa Navy Spokesman's Remarks se!" was a ery which was heard 1 Questioned at yesterday's press con beries times from the lips of the ference whether the communi naval. men. forecast a return of the area north of Despite the free movement of Chi Soochow Creek to full Council jutisnese to and fro over the bridge action, the naval spokesman said that the hawker# who sell. transparent the Navy believed that police matters covers for the Japanere-issed parses much as possible should be dealt were still in evidence in the vicinity with by the police, but the question of the bridges but did practically no of defence was entirely another mal-business. ter. Pressed further on the point, he The 2 to 4 am, curfew on the would not commit himself other than hree spang, which also affected say that the transition period foreigners, hax been fled, and it is would of necessity. be comparatively ong. expected that this action may induce some foreigners to sok living quar The relaxation in examina ters in Hongkew. passes, he added, did not similar exemption regarding trucks Serious Police Problem which carried serap iron, metals, Ules One of the problems which would bricks and arms. peeoine especially acute with the re= In reply to another question, turn of many residents to the areas naval spokesman said that the matter fof the International Settlement north of opening parts of the barricades of the Soochow Creek and east of between Hongkew and West Hongkew West "Hongkew, is that of policing. and other areas had not been con-present the Police in Hongkew sidered as yet. and other distiiets are. imited Japanese decree, and all the stations Starvation Takes Big Would need a return of many foreign and. Chinese members la order to Toll Here Constitute adequate protection and be able eMeientis to deal with crime, Shanghai, Feb, 20, The high cost of living has "als Yorious forms. of violent crime, ex: ner eased the death rate among the pecially armed. robberies, have in-Greased considerably in recent months Boor to. such "an extent that, the throughout the Eastern area, and ability of the' Shanahal Public Bene: jo Iuguux. of residents is. about potent Cemetery has been taxed. take place, observers point out is capacity. "On the average dari that the Police must be materially. have been "picked "up daily "irom past few days, about 100 bode augmented. At present, for instance, the number of Chinese policemen is Seitiement streets, extremely limited, and these police As the weather has not been sold during the past few days, the fen are not allovged to be armed as Increased death rate ts said to be clu tlyewhere in the Settlement. aval authorities to the increased cost of living which put the turn renders it Impossible for poor their ood behavior families to look after their enitdven ion of restritio Most of the dead' Were children, should there be trouble in the area.
said, that no doubt that many Heads of families desiring to establish Sault a chide "have ale Fesidence "over the Creek" are still required to obtain permits from the During the past ave days ending Reconstruction Section of the Japan-sunday" night, the Cemetery which ese Special Naval Landing. Party. has. been doing excelion"buryins work during the sinter had pickee
ment streets alone and' check wit 388 dead people from the Sate Spokesman Queried on the Cemetery yesterday revenged that of Office the philanttvopie. organisation. war Shona, Feb, 20, daily. prepared to. famile about 100: dear "report that the
Chinese report states that_ th had opened nimber of students in all achen!
Embassy: spokesman, at the ere has Deen reduced by one fit Japanese press conference yesterday, because many' parents cannot afford Stated that he had not been informed to let their children goto school result of increased prices, itt of the establishment of such an often Pointed out that since the hostilities Normally, he said, a government number of schools here has been desirous of opening such an office in greatly increased following the. territory controlled by another gov crease" of population but. that. now Jernment, would have to obtain consent the "golden age" of educators has before any officials would be allowed commence work it that territory,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.